An outbreak of cholera in western Kenya, 2015: a case control study

Abstract

Introductionin February 2015, an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea was reported in two sub counties in western Kenya. Vibrio cholerae 01 serotype Ogawa was isolated from 26 cases and from water samples collected from a river mainly used by residents of the two sub-counties for domestic purposes. We carried out an investigation to determine factors associated with the outbreak.Methodswe conducted a frequency matched case control study in the community. We defined cases as episodes of watery diarrhea (at least three motions in 24 hours) in persons ≥ 2 years who were residents of Rongo or Ndhiwa sub-counties from January 23-February 25, 2015. Cases were systematically recruited from a cholera line list and matched to two controls (persons without diarrhea since January 23, 2015) by age category and residence. A structured questionnaire was administered to evaluate exposures in cases and controls and multivariable logistic regression done to determine independent factors associated with the outbreak.Resultswe recruited 52 cases and 104 controls. Females constituted 61% (95/156) of all participants. Overall latrine coverage was 58% (90/156). Latrine coverage was 44% (23/52) for cases and 64% (67/104) for controls. Having no latrine at home (aOR = 10.9; 95% CI: 3.02-39.21), practicing communal hand washing in a basin (aOR = 6.5; 95% CI: 2.30-18.11) and vending of food as an occupation (aOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.06-10.74) were independently associated with the outbreak.Conclusionpoor latrine coverage and personal hygiene practices were identified as the main drivers of the outbreak. We recommended improved public health education on latrine usage and promotion of hand washing with soap and water in the community.

Incidence of Acute Watery Diarrhea among Internally Displaced People in Burhakaba Camps, Bay Region, Somalia

“…However, most AWD outbreaks in Somalia have been attributed to Vibrio cholerae O1 Inaba confirming the clinical case definitions are valid for cholera surveillance (6). Despite these limitations, the study found a high AWD burden in Burhakaba IDP camps associated with poor WASH conditions and food insecurity, reflecting common challenges across Somalia (5,10).…”

Isolation, Characterisation of Four Gram Negative Environmental Bacteria and Bacteriophage Plaques Formation on Their Lawns

“…In 2015, following an outbreak of cholera in Western Kenya, V. cholerae was isolated from river Riana in Migori. The same serotype of V. cholerae confirmed to be the source of the outbreak was also isolated from a patients' rectal swab 29 . The river was the source of water used for domestic purposes by the Migori people.…”

“…The river was the source of water used for domestic purposes by the Migori people. According to WHO 29 . Kenya experienced an outbreak of cholera that started in Tana river at the Coast and later reported in other counties: Garissa, Vihiga, Nairobi, Mombasa, Turkana, Kericho, Nakuru, Kiambu and Narok.…”

Epidemiological investigation of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak in a tribal village near Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border

“…8 Bwire et al, in their study observed that Vibrio cholerae O1 was responsible for all outbreaks. 9 The two serotypes Inaba (8 out of 10 outbreaks) and Ogawa (responsible for 2 out of 10 outbreaks, in Namayingo and Wakiso districts) were isolated from stool samples.…”